Means for driving turbines.



PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

W. B. SAYERS.

MEANS FOR DRIVING TURBINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED MAY 22, 1906.

W. B. SAYERS.

MEANS FOR DRIVING TUBBINBS.

. APPLICATION FILED NOV.7, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2 ////////u I in umrnn STATES PATENT orrron.

WILLIAM BROOKS SAYERS, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

MEANS FOR DRIVING TURBINES- Patented May 22, 1906.

Original application filed November 8,1904, Serial No. 231,885. Divided and this application filed November '7, 1905. Serial No. 286,221-

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM BROOKS SAY- ERS, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Glasgow, in the county of Lanark, Scotland, have invented Improvements in Means for Driving Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

The present application is a division of'my application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 23 1,885, and relates to means for carrying out I the method set forth in the specification of the last-mentioned application and having for object to enable a turbine to be run at a much lower speed than is now usually employed and with greater efliciency than is at present found practicable. The said application, Serial No. 231,885, relates to the driving of turbines at a comparatively low speed by transferring the energy of steam or other driving fluid of low specific gravity to a working fluid of high specific gravity, and thereby projecting it against the turbine-blades or reaction-surfaces, and according thereto the energy of the driving fluid is transformed into the kinetic energy of a succession of liquid projectiles, Which are directed against the turbine-blades 0r corresponding parts, and each of which in order that the resultant intermittent jet of working fluid be of constant velocity, is made so short in relation to the length of the path traversed by it while acted upon by expanding driving fluid confined behind it that its velocity of impact or contact against the said blades or parts is practically constant throughout its length in the direction of its motion.

Now the present invention consists of the various combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and defined for carrying out the process in question. In apparatus according thereto the projection of the working fluid onto the blades or reactionsurfaces of a turbine-wheel is eflected by the driving fluid in an expansion-tube into which the working fluid is caused to flow and in which it has its velocity increased while 7 ass ing therethrough by the expansion of the driving fluid. A mechanically-operated device operated by suitable gear driven from the turbine-shaft may be employed to admit working fluid and driving fluid alternately into the expansion-tube.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, whereof Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, represent an example of apparatus according thereto, Fig. 1

being a sectional elevation, Fig. 2 an elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a plan of the entire apparatus, and Figs. 4 and 5 sectional views of the device for controlling the flow of working fluid and driving fluid, while Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a modification.

1 is the turbine-wheel, which is inclo'sed in a casing 2, the lower part of which is connected by a ipe 3 to a reservoir 4, from which a pipe 5 eads to an annular working-fluid chamber 6. From within the chamber 6 there extends a tube 7, (herein called the expansion-tuba) intended to cause the alternately to the expansion-tube 7 by means of a device comprisin two annular valves 9 and 10, which are eac provided with a ring of ports and are oscillated by eccentrics 11 and 12, which are fixed on a shaft 13, driven through bevel-gear 14 from the turbine-shaft 15, and the rods 16 and 17 of which are j oint ed to arms 18 and 19, extending, respectively, from shafts 20 and 21, carrying toothed sectors 22 and 23, earing into toothed arcs 24 and 25, carried by the valves 9 and 10, respectively. The result of this 0 eration is that at each admission of driving iuid by the valve 10 the ortion of working fluid that has just previous y been admitted by the valve 9 and has passed above the valve 10 is cut off 3 by the driving fluid and is propelled thereby I through the expansion-tube, in which it fits like a piston, and the continued action of the driving fluid, due to its expansion in the expansion-tube, produces acceleration of the piston of Working fluid as it passes through 3 the tube, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is 5 straight for the purpose of reducing friction to a minimum. The exhaust driving fluid escapes from the casing 2 through an outlet 2, whence it may pass either into the atmosphere or if it be steam and a pump be provided in the piping 3 and 5 into a condenser. As will be seen from Figs. 4 and 5, the an rangement of the eccentrics 11 and 12 in relation to the valves 9 and 10 and the corresponding ports in the tube 7 is such that the working-fluid ports are fully open when the eccentric 11 is at the ends of its throw, and

the valve 9 consequently moves slowest when the ports are fully open in order to give time for working fluid under comparatively low pressure to enter to the required amount, while the driving-fluid ports are fully open when the valve 10 is in the middle of its stroke, and consequently moving fastest, so that the ports, which are of a width much less than the travel of the valve, are suddenly opened to their full extent and then quickly closed. The relation between the eccentrics 11 and 12 and theirvalves is also such that the working-fluid ports are open while the driving-fluid ports are closed, and vice versa.

By the means described the working fluid and the driving fluid are caused to enter alternately the lower end of the expansion-tube 7, so that not only is there a practically eflicient transformation of the energy of each separate volume of driving fluid into kinetic energy of the volume of working fluid immediately front of it by the expansion in the tube 7 of the sa1d volume of driving fluid confined behind it and the consequent acceleration of the piston formed by the said volume of Working fluid, but owing to the shortness of each piston in relation to the length of the tube the velocity of impact of each projectile of working fluid so formed and expelled from the tube against the blades or reaction-surfaces of the turbine-wheel is practically uniform throughout its length in the direction of its motion and under normal conditions is practically equal to that of each of the other projectiles. For the purpose of causing the working fluid to rise in the expansion-tube as uniformly as possible a conoidal projection 26' is inserted into the lower and downwardlyflaring end of the tube.

When the working fluid is supplied with suflici'ent pressurethat is to say, at a pressure approximately equal to the initial pressure of the driving fluid, as might be effected by means of a pump in the piping 3 and 5-the working-valve fluid may be dispensed with, as indicated in Fig. 6, wherein the expansiontu'be7 is shown as acontinuation of the working-fluid supply pipe 5'. In this case the working fluid will keep moving on; but portions of it will be cut off by the inlet of driving fluid, which will, as before, propel them through the tube and increase their velocity by its expansion therein as they pass therethlough. To cause the driving fluid to rise steadily and with an approximately level surface in the tube 7, there is provided at the mouth of the tube 7 a throttle-plate 27, formed with a number of perforations, the aggregate area of which is considerably less than that of the bore of the tube 7, and above the plate 27 there is secured in the tube a grid or diaphragm of gauze or perforated metal 28. Various constructional and other alterations may be made without departure from the essential features of the invention.

I would have it understood that T am aware that it has been proposed to drive a turbine by working fluid projected against the blades or reaction-surfaces by the pressure of driving fluid acting on the surface of'the working fluid within a chamber provided with a short pipe or nozzle for directing the issuing working fluid upon the blades or reaction-surfaces of the turbine, such arrangement being attended by considerable variation in the velocity of the et of working fluid, owing to the inertia of the work-' ing fluid andthe varying pressure of the driving fluid, whereas according to my invention the entire succession of projectiles or intermittent jet will under normal conditions move at a practically uniform velocity, as'is essential for the efficiency of the turbine, and I declare that I lay no claim to the aforesaid arrangement ,but that,subj ect to this declaiming note,

What I claim is 1. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, an expansion-tube arranged to direct working fluid against the reactionsurfaces of said body, and means for causing working fluid and driving fluid to flow alternately into said tube, which is adapted to cause each volume of said working fluid so admitted to said tube to have its velocity increased while passing through said tube by the expansion therein of a succeeding portion of said driving fluid,substantially as described.

2. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, an expansion-tube arranged to direct working fluid against the reactionsurfaces of said body, a device for causing working fluid and driving fluid to flow alternately into said tube, which is adapted to cause each volume of said working fluid so admitted to said tube to have its velocity increased while passing through said tube by 3 the expansiontherein of a succeedingportion of said driving fluid, and gearing connecting said device to said reaction-body, substantially as described.

3. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight exp ansion-tube arranged to direct working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body, and means for causin working fluid and driving fluid to enter said tube alternately.

4. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight exp ansion-tube arranged to direct working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body, and means for causing working fluid and driving fluid to enter said tube alternately so that each separate volumeof working fluid thus caused to enter and propelled therealong by the expansion of driving fluid confined behind it therein will fill said tube transversely like a piston and will be so short in relation to the length of said tube that its velocity of impact or contact against said reaction-surfaees will be. substantially uniform throughout its length in the direction of its projection.

5. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube arranged to direct working'fluid against the reaction-surfaces ,of said body, and means for causing working fluid and driving fluid to enter said tube alternately so that each separate volume ofworking fluid thus caused to enter will fill the tube transversely like a piston andwill be so short in relation to the length of said tube that its velocity of impact or contact against said reaction-surfaces will be substantially uniform throughout its length in the direction of its projection and that during its passage through said tube it will have transferred to it in a practicallyefflcientmanner the energy of the volume of driving fluid confined immediately behind it in said tube.

6. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion tube arranged to directworking fluid against the reaction-surfaces of saidv body, two sets of valve apparatus adapted to admit working fluid and driving fluid respectively into said tube, and means for operating said two sets so as to admit said working fluid and said driving fluid alternately into said tube.

7. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube which is arranged to direct working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body, has provisionfor the admission of Working fluid and driving fluid, and flares outward internally at its inlet portion, a conoidal projection arranged centrally within its flaring portion, and means for admitting working fluid and driving fluid alternately into said tube.

8. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube which is arranged to direct working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body and is provided with a ring of ports for the admission of said working fluid, and means for admitting both working fluid through said ports and also driving fluid alternately into said tube.

9. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube which is arranged to direct Working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body and is provided with a ring of ports for the admission of said working fluid and a ring of ports for the admission of driving fluid, said tube being elsewhere .closed except at its outlet end, and means for admitting working fluid and driving fluid alternately into said tube and through their respective said rings of ports.

10. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube which is arranged to direct working fluid a ainst the reaction-surfaces of saidbody an is provided with a ring of ports for the admission ofsaid working fluid and a ring of ports for the admission of driving fluid, said tube being elsewhere closed except at its outlet end, chambers surrounding said rings of ports, valves for controlling the flow of working fluid .and driving fluid from said chambers through said ports, and means for operating rsaid valves so as to admit Working fluid and driving fluid alternately through said ports into saidtube.

11. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube arranged to direct working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body, means for causing working fluid and driving fluid toenter, said tube alternately, and means for preventing the flow of said fluids in said tube in the direction opposit to that of said reaction-body.

12. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube arranged to direct working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body and closed at its rear end, and means for causing working fluid and driving fluid to enter said tube alternately so that each separate volume of working fluid thus caused to enter and propelled therealong by the expansion of driving fluid confined behind it therein will fill said tube transversely like a piston and. will be so short in relation to the length of said tube that its velocity of impact or contact against said reaction-surfaces will be substantially uniform throughout its length in the direction of its projection.

13. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube arranged to direct workin fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body and closed at its rear end, and means for causing working fluid and driving fluid to enter said tube alternately so that each separate volume of working fluid thus caused to enter will fill the tube transversely like a piston and will be so short in relation to the length of said tube that its velocity of impact or contact against said reaction-surfaces will be substantially uniform throughout its length in the direction of its projection and that during its passage through said tube it will have transferred to it in a practically efficient manner the energy of the volume of driving fluid confined immediately behind it in said tube.

14. Motor apparatus comprising a rot-atable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube arranged to direct working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of sai body and closed at its rear end, two sets of valve apparatus adapted to admit working fluid and driving fluid respectively into said tube, and means for operating said two sets so as to admit said Working fluid and said driving fluid alternately into said tube.

' 15. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube Which is arranged to direct Working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body, has provision for the admission of Working fluid and driving fluid, and flares outward internally at its inlet portion, a conoidal projection arranged centrally Within and closing its flaring portion, and means for admitting Working fluid and driving fluid alternately into said tube.

16. Motor apparatus comprising a rota table reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube Which is arranged to direct Working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body and is provided With a ring of ports for the admission of said Working fluid, means for admitting both Working fluid through said ports and also driving fluid alternately into said tube, and means for preventing the flow of said fluids in said tube in the direction opposite to that of said reaction-body.

17. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube arranged to direct Working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body and means for causing Working fluid and driving fluid to enter said tube alternately, said means being adapted to cause each separate volume of driving fluid to enter said tube suddenly so that as nearly as practicable the full pressure Will be exerted upon the next preceding volume of Working fluid before it will have traveled a considerable portion of the length of said tube.

18. Motor apparatus comprising a rotatable reaction-body, a substantially straight expansion-tube arranged to direct Working fluid against the reaction-surfaces of said body and means for causing Working fluid and driving fluid to enter said tube alternately, said means being adapted to cause as WILLIAM BROOKS SAYERS.

Witnesses:

J NO. MCFADZEAN, ROB. THOMSON. 

